Colgate at Illinois odds, picks and predictions

The Colgate Raiders (6-4) head to State Farm Center to face the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (7-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook lines around the Colgate vs. Illinois odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Colgate won its 2nd straight game on Dec. 9 against Vermont 77-71, covering the 3.5-point spread as the Over 136 hit. Senior F Keegan Records led the Catamounts with 22 points and added 8 rebounds. Colgate shot 53 percent from beyond the arch. Illinois will be the 2nd ranked team they’ve faced this season.

Illinois, which is No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, had their 5-game win streak snapped Dec. 9 against the Tennessee Volunteers 86-79. They pushed on the 7-point spread but did go Over the 144.5 total. Senior G Terrence Shannon Jr. and Oregon transfer Quincy Guerrier both scored 22 points in the loss. Tennessee dominated the Fighting Illini inside,  outrebounding them 43-34 and outscored them in the paint 38-24.

These two teams have met one time before. Illinois beat Colgate, 75-55 on Nov. 9th, 2012.

– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Colgate at Illinois odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:50 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Colgate +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) | Illinois -2100 (bet $2,100 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Colgate +15.5 (-102) | Illinois -15.5 (-120)
• Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)

Colgate at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 80, Colgate 60

Moneyline

PASS.

You should obviously avoid betting Illinois (-2100) because the odds are outrageous. Go look at the spread if you want to make a bet.

Against the spread

BET ILLINOIS -15.5 (-120).

The Fighting Illini are 4-0-1 over their last 5 games ATS. That includes covering their last 3 at home and 2 games with spreads larger than 24 points.

Colgate’s most impressive win of the season was their latest against Vermont. Before that it’s been a lot of beating up on weaker opponents. They will likely hang with Illinois in the 1st half, but fade in the 2nd against a superior squad in Champaign.

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Over/Under

AVOID.

My lean is to the Under, but not strong enough to put a bet down. The Fighting Illini have gone Under in 4 of their last 10 games while Colgate has in just 2. Illinois is No. 51 in the country in defense allowing just 65 points per game. Colgate ranks 37th allowing just 63.9 PPG.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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